Biology and You Section 4

Section 4: What is Biology?

Preview
• Bellringer
• Key Ideas
• The Study of Life
• Properties of Life
• Summary
Biology and You Section 4

Bellringer
List all the characteristics that you have in common with a
beetle.
Biology and You Section 4

Key Ideas
• What are some of the branches of biology?

• What are seven characteristics that all living things

share?
Biology and You Section 4

The Study of Life

• Biology is the scientific study of living organisms and
their interactions with the environment.

• It would be impossible for one person to become an

expert in all aspects of biology, so scientists specialize.

• Some of the branches of biology are biochemistry,

ecology, cell biology, genetics, evolutionary theory,
microbiology, botany, zoology, and physiology.

• Throughout this course you will learn about each of

these branches and have the opportunity to practice
techniques used in careers in each of these fields.
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Properties of Life
• All living organisms share certain properties.

• The seven properties of life are cellular organization,

homeostasis, metabolism, responsiveness, reproduction,
heredity, and growth.

• Cellular Organization:

– All living things are made of one or more cells.

– A cell is the smallest unit capable of all life processes.

Biology and You Section 4

Properties of Life, continued

• Homeostasis

– All living organisms must maintain a stable internal

environment in order to function properly.

– The maintenance of a stable internal environment in

spite of changes in the external environment is called
homeostasis.
Biology and You Section 4

Properties of Life, continued

• Metabolism

– Living organisms carry out different chemical reactions

in order to obtain energy.

– The sum of all the chemical reactions carried out in an

organism is called metabolism.

– Almost all of the energy used by living things originally

comes from the sun.
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Properties of Life, continued

• Responsiveness

– In addition to maintaining a stable internal environment,

living organisms respond to their external environment.

– Can you think of a way that you have responded to

your environment today?
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Properties of Life, continued

• Reproduction
– Most living things can reproduce. Reproduction is the
process by which organisms make more of their own kind
from one generation to the next.

• Heredity

– When an organism reproduces, it passes on its own traits to

its offspring in a process called heredity.

– Inherited characteristics change over generations. This

process is called evolution
Biology and You Section 4

Visual Concept: Heredity

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Biology and You Section 4

Properties of Life, continued

• Growth

– All living organisms grow.

– As organisms grow, many change. This process is

called development.

– Development differs from evolution because

development refers to change in a single individual
during that individual’s life.
Biology and You Section 4

The Seven Properties of Life

Biology and You Section 4

Summary
• Branches of biology include biochemistry, ecology, cell
biology, genetics, evolutionary theory, microbiology,
botany, zoology, and physiology.

• The seven properties of life are cellular organization,

homeostasis, metabolism, responsiveness, reproduction,
heredity, and growth.